Unfortunate shadows in the photo, but a happy family in the car, December 26, 2016, 11:29 a.m.

From Daddy: Yesterday, on the morning after Christmas, we packed up the cars and drove to our “happy place,” Gilroy Gardens.

When we arrived, he saw the displays from Lumination (extended to January 8) and decided that he didn’t want to return until after Lumination was gone. The crabby-puss would recant that when I spoke with him on the phone tonight, agreeing that we had a good time after all.

Back at our happy place, December 26, 2016

As usual, we began with a ride on the Paddle Boats shaped like ducks.

Paddle away as Mommy snapped a photo, December 26, 2016

Still remnants of Lumination on Coyote Lake while we paddled on a duck, December 26, 2016, 11:12 a.m.

The color of the fish were not as deep, but we were glad to paddle near them, December 26, 2016, 11:14 a.m.

The orchestra was seated while we awaited the conductor, December 2, 2016, 11:30 a.m.

I joined his class on a field trip to the San Francisco Symphony. Performances included an orchestral version of the Can-Can and The Composer Is Dead, composed by a local composer. Later, we walked through City Hall.

Ready for the San Francisco Symphony to perform, December 2, 2016, 11:24 a.m.